Posts

Showing posts from 2015
Twas the eve before Christmas Eve and all through the room The presents weren't wrapped and floors needed a broom The kitty was laying wrapped round my head And the tween, he was playing video games on his bed Ah, the day before THE day before.  I should be baking and wrapping and singing carols, but I am not.  The husband and I went out for lunch and I had a rare drink and now I'm just tired and lazy.  The presents are piled in the closet downstairs and I keep saying I am going to go down and wrap so I don't get caught doing it all tomorrow.  The oven has been preheating for 30 minutes for those black bottoms I am going to make, but all that's happened so far is the cream cheese is getting soft for the mix.  The fire place was on and now the livingroom is a sauna.  What to do, what to do?  Nothing or something?  Tomorrow will be here in the blink of an eye and I'll really regret not doing anything, but I just don't see it happening.  Merry Christmas Eve E

Tis The Season

I cannot believe it's 2 weeks before Christmas already!  Here in Maryland it's 65 degrees and sunny and has been for weeks.  It's definitely not the norm!  We have done some Christmas crafts and decorated early for the holiday and it has helped get us in the Christmas spirit.  Last weekend we took our two sons and our 4 year old granddaughter and carried out our tradition of cutting down our own Christmas tree at Friendship Tree Farm in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland.  We found another "perfect tree", this one shorter and more round than our normal ones, and dad cut it down while the two strong boys watched...go figure.  Then we went in to have dinner at "our" Chesapeake Beach restaurant that I still don't know the name of, but got our usual excellent quality food and enjoyed every single bite.  Next was on to North Beach, just down the road, but we got a pleasant surprise when we realized that because we were a week earlier than usual we were just in ti

It's a College Thing

Image

War and Witches

Image
Yesterday was a homeschool day with just my son and I.  No daycare.  No grandbabies.  We slept in, a little later than intended, and got started with our much awaited American Revolution unit.  This son, son #2, is all about battles, so in learning American History, wars are high on his list of interesting things to learn about.  We watched a video called Great Americans:  The Revolutionary War and heard some cool things about a few people we had heard of already and then several people that played a lesser known, although no less important part in the war.  We then worked on Vocabulary Soldiers for our bulletin board while we watched 10 Things I Didn't Know About:  The American Revolution.  We really enjoyed that and are now going to record that series so we can watch some more of those shows about different historical things. After our videos we put together our bulletin board and made a Cause and Effect domino cover for our unit that we will be adding to.   I think they turned

Well What a MONDAY

Today was nothing short of Monday.  It started off bad, didn't get better, but fortunately, I suppose, didn't really get worse.  It's Mondayness just went on and on. My husband was off work AGAIN (love you, honey) and that always means it's hard to pull myself out from under the covers in the morning.  Since my son, 11 and a terrible sleeper lately, had to have come in my room 5 times last night to tell me he couldn't sleep I was sure when his alarm went off he'd tell me that too.  Nope.  He said you were sleeping so I turned it off and went back to bed.  Ugh.  While it was nice to sleep I had no downtime for planning or coffee and barely time for a shower before the granddaughters came. Dakota was a bear to get up.  Even more so than usual.  A big, unhappy grizzly bear.  He didn't have any downtime either since we got up late and since I had given him Friday off of homeschooling so he had to make his bed, get dressed and get right to work.  He was grouc

Relief from the Heat

Image
True to what the weatherman said, Sunday started a new trend of cooler weather.  Dakota's friend Dominic spent the night Sunday night and left around 10:30 Monday morning.  I had hoped to get a lot of work in after that, but my son was not in a very good place.  His focus issues were maximized and he was grumpy and whiny.  We got some schoolwork done, but not nearly as much as I would have liked.  He had a 90 minute EcoAdventure class from 4-5:30 and then with football practice moved to Tuesday this week we got a night in.  Again, a family favorite thing! Tuesday was cloudy and cool.  Dakota was in a much better mood and we spent the day working hard.  While a pizza was in the oven cooking for lunch I introduced him to the Beatles and their music.  We are doing a unit study of the United Kingdom so this fit perfectly.  He couldn't understand what the big deal was, lol.  After lunch we got a lot done and even made the sensory (colors and smells) playdoh that I needed for my pr

It Sure Is September!

Image
September and October in our family mean lots and lots of activities on the calendar and the second week of school was no different.  Monday started off with Dakota working for EcoAdventures at a Turtletacular Camp at KinderFarm Park in Millersville, MD.  He had to be there by 9 and then I had the three little girls here all day while he was there.  It was glorious out so I decided to put up the bounce house.  Things went downhill from there.  The three adorable angels turned into three little devils.  There were meltdowns, tantrums and worse.  By the time I picked him up I was completely wiped out and not at all in a good mood. Tuesday was our only day home all week so we got in lots of schoolwork.....wait.  No.  I am looking at my planner and we got in very little.  How did that happen and what did we do?  Who knows.  It's a week behind me at this point. Wednesday was a great day.  Dakota and I got to go to the National Aquarium in Baltimore for a homeschool

A Week Under Our Belt

The first week of homeschooling for this, my 16th homeschooling year, was a huge success.  Did we get tons done?  Nope.  Did we follow my "plan"?  Nope.  Did I even have a well written schedule with daily times and subjects to follow?  Nope!  Finally, after 15 years of trying to be on top of everything, following a tight schedule and worrying about the "big picture" I got with the program.  Which program is that, you may ask?  The one that says relax and enjoy your child.  Take it outside.  Stop to jump on the trampoline.  Veer off task and watch a great history video that captivates your child.  Let him ease into the change of schedule and he'll be a much happier camper. The start of a new school year is exciting for me.  I love the new books, clean planners, fresh ideas.  I can't wait to start and I usually have big ideas.  At the table by 8:30.  Getting in all the subjects.  Big projects started.  I literally burn my kid out by the end of the week, espe

Fifth Grade Fun

Today is the first day of fifth grade for my youngest child.  The last year I will ever have my own child in elementary school.  He doesn't like that he missed the cutoff date for 6th grade by 3 days, but I am happy to have him here with me an additional year to homeschool. I started off the morning oversleeping.  UGH.  He also got to "oversleep", although for him no amount of sleep can be too much.  I finally got him to the table for breakfast a little before 9 and at 9:55 we are still on morning work, but I am not going to push him and make him a grouch.  We moved our morning out to the deck and it's enjoyable sitting here with him, stopping to talk, watching the crazy cat do flips on the outdoor carpet.  There are no granddaughters making noise this morning.  No daycare baby running around.  Just Dakota and I, the way I like it best, sitting on the deck watching the world go by.    The trashmen just came by.  Young and shirtless.  I mentioned that I thought that

Happy Happy Birthday!

Image
Happy Birthday to the love of my life, Brian!  We were supposed to have baseball all day today, but knowing in advance we were due heavy rains I made plans.  When we got the cancellation for baseball this morning we turned off the alarm and slept in....til almost noon!  My younger daughter came in wondering if we were all dead or something because I especially am never asleep that late!  Wow, it felt great!  We had coffee, relaxed then my son went to pick up a 1/2 bushel of crabs as my birthday treat to my husband.  We are going to eat them and relax some more and then he is going to get him mom for a simple, but favorite spaghetti dinner and maybe a family movie.  It doesn't take a big party or a lot of people to make a day special and I hope this simplicity and being around some of his family (the girls had to work today) will make it a terrific day.  I love you!

It's Not Easy Being Me

I had a rough evening and an even rougher day because I didn't get much sleep last night.  My heart was hurt, which happens to me more often than to most.  I know that turning 50 in a few weeks is a milestone and in lots of ways I have been preparing in good ways for the "second half of my life".  I am less critical of some things and more critical of others.  I cry rarely these days, but hurt more.  I want more than anything to feel appreciated and yet I feel like the men in my life only notice my existence when they want something I have not provided.  I have a 22 year old son living at home who used to think I walked on air and did no wrong.  Now that he has a Ms. Right in his heart, however, and she is at home in another state for summer break from college, he is extremely moody and often lashes out at me.....something he never did in his 21 years prior.  He is all wrapped up in his future and I am just along to watch.  I am criticized if I don't have the answers

I Have A New Blog

Image
If you have a toddler or preschooler and are interested in a website with more comprehensive ideas about the themes I do with them including book lists, websites and songs, please visit  http://startingwithtwo.blogspot.com/       I enjoy working with preK aged children and since my daycare baby is three and my oldest granddaughter just turned four there is plenty of fun to be had.  If you visit, leave a comment and let me know how you like the new blog and what you might like to see there in the future!!

Two Kinds of Fun

I have 2 preschoolers today, 1 toddler and 4 "big kids" ages 10, 10, 12 and 7.  The big kids have been allowed to hang out in Dakota's room this morning playing video games until 10.  It's gorgeous outside just now so they are outside jumping on the trampoline and I am ready to give them a Nature Scavenger Hunt from wwwthetaylor-house.com .   My son, of course, had to pout and run his mouth, but he's going to live through it.  He looks back on his summers so fondly, but at almost 11 getting him to act like he enjoys things is a challenge. We are still waiting on the other preschooler so right now my 4 year old granddaughter has watched the Sid the Science kid DVD on insects and is not watching Magic School Bus Gets Ants in It's Pants.  Our current theme is Bugs and Butterflies and today's focus is ants.  It's hard when I don't get both preschoolers at the same time because now one has probably slept in and the other is going to be tired soon and

Summer Fun Begins

Today we had our first day of summer camp 2015.  Dakota, Lindsey and little Brooke had a waffle bar for breakfast with jellies, blackberries, butter and syrup.  We packed up and headed to the free summer movie which was Mr. Peabody and Sherman.  Not a bad movie at all and the historical references were entertaining and educational.  Afterward my older son met us at Sorrentos for pizza and french fries for lunch and then I took the Dakota and Lindsey to the library near our house where they participated in Tinker Tuesday, making and launching paper rockets while I browsed for books.  They got an hour or so to just hang out inside when we got back to the house, as the 100 degree heat made even swimming unappealing.  Now it's early evening and nasty storms are rolling through.  I am going to work and watch the newest Night At the Museum movie together and have a late dinner.

Summer 2015

This week Dakota and I are "off".  No required math or reading.  No fun work packets.  No field trips.  Just home and doing our things.  For him that means sleeping in, staying up late and more video games than I am comfortable with.  For me that means one less thing to squeeze in the day, but also the chance to get ready for our summer fun days, filled with friends, field trips, movies, library activities, picnic lunches, long weekends away.  I am do not have my grandchildren on Tuesdays and Thursdays so those are the days I know I can do "big kid" things with my son and his friends or go on trips and not have to take more than 1 little one.  We will go almost every Tuesday to the Hollywood theater in Arbutus to see the free movie there and then have lunch out or a picnic, depending on the heat and then I will either take the kids to the Arbutus library or the Lansdowne library where they have daily activities for kids their age.  My "tweens" have outgrow

As Spring Turns Into Summer

Image
       As spring turns into the summer of 2015 I am pleased with our fun activities so far.  It is weighing a bit heavy on my heart that my youngest is 10 years old, soon to be 11.  Only 4 more years to homeschool him.  Only 5 1/2 more years til he can drive.  I want to make the most of these years and give him memories to last a lifetime.  Some things we do just him and I, some with him and his dad, some include his older brother (22) and some include his sisters.  Quite a few include his little nieces, ages 4, 20 months and 3 months currently!         So we started off with a big bang going to Disney World in April.  The two boys and I drove down, stopping in North Carolina on the way to spend some time with my sister in law.  We spent April 19th through 26th in Disney and then came home by way of Boiling Springs, South Carolina, where we spent the night with my sister and brother in law.         Once home our travel baseball games kicked in and we've had lots of games at n

Destinations to Explore with Cindy

Image
I did it!  I was hired by Destinations to Explore and I have become a licensed travel agent!  I am specializing in all things Disney, but I can book a vacation package, airline flights, cruises or even rent you a car anywhere and anytime!  Please visit my Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/DTEwithCindy and spread the word far and wide!  This is a dream come true for me and I can't wait to share the MAGIC with all of you!  My greatest asset is the network that I have from my homeschooling and sports contacts and from right here on this blog.  I have reached hundreds of people and if they all spread the word, I am going to be booking vacations in my sleep!  Stay tuned to see who will be my first Disney vacationer to book with this new agent!

February Fun

Yesterday we had a family snow day.  Dad worked from home, college son and girlfriend were here, Dakota and I took the day off.  The snow had actually fallen the night before and the day dawned sunny and clear.  We all hung out for most of the day and then at 4pm my daughters both arrived, as well as my two granddaughters.  My husband and younger daughter and I took Dakota and Natalie, my 3 1/2 year old granddaughter, sledding.  We went to a nearby park with big hills and spent almost 2 hours sledding and hauling each other up the hill.  The kids had a blast.  Poppy wore himself out and I took tons of pictures!  I love capturing the fun they are having, the blue of their eyes and the rosy red of their cheeks! The cold warranted a warm drink and some donuts at the nearby Dunkin Donuts and then home to the rest of the gang for a steak dinner with microwavable sides (not my usual - but quick and easy!)  Dinner was noisy and chaotic, but that's the way it is with 8 people in the hous

Travel Anyone?

Image
Two years ago when my little son and I were going to Walt Disney World in Florida, I used the services of a fabulous travel agent from Destinations to Explore named Regina.  She answered all my questions and set us up for a fabulous time with absolutely everything taken care of.  No worries.  When we returned I chatted online with her about how becoming a travel agent would be a perfect "second career" for me now that I have raised three kids and the last is ten.  We talked about my family's love of travel and how I have been organizing trips and activities for Maryland homeschoolers for the past fifteen years.  She suggested I put an application in with her travel agency and gave me all the information.  I did put an application in and sent along my resume.  I didn't hear anything back and soon I was too busy with life to even remember I did so. Last week I got an email from Destinations to Explore.  The name sounded familiar.  It was the same lady I had been refer

Being A Mom

"You are only as happy as your saddest child" was a quote I read recently.  How true!  When your kids are doing well it's so much easier to be at peace with your own life, but when one or more of them is having a hard time, my personal stress is directly proportional to this.  And I guess the more children you have, the more opportunity you have for stress.  And then there are grandchildren.....   Ah, a mother's work is never done. My husband doesn't get it.  He doesn't get why I stress and fret when one or more of our four children or two, soon to be three granddaughters are sick or stressed or hurt or worried.  My heart is so directly linked to theirs that I feel their pain almost as acutely as if it were my own.  Today my older son is having girlfriend troubles.  He is hurt and anxious and angry and I am anxious about what will play out with the relationship because if it doesn't work, he will be heartbroken. My heart aches for him.  My oldest is stre

A Rainy Monday Morning

Monday mornings are hard anyway, but a freezing rain, gray and gloomy Monday morning is especially trying.  I knew Dakota was not going to be a happy camper anyway when I woke him, so I decided to provide an enticing morning to help get us going for the week. We started off our morning together in the livingroom in the recliners, under blankets, eating pop tarts, Mom drinking coffee and Dakota drinking milk while we watched Magic School Bus videos.  We love them and the air pressure and weather episodes are tied in to our meteorology unit for Science.  Ah, I see a smile on my little man's face!  My daycare baby Brookie came and she joined us in the third chair with her flower blankie and a bowl of dry Fruit Loops.  Yes to this!  I am watching and planning out our day, tweaking things so we can do most of our work right here.   And like all well laid plans, a train ran right through them.  My mother, my daughter and my two granddaughters all arrived at the same time. The side

Back to Normal

So this week has been extremely busy or what we call normal.  Yesterday we were dropped off at 10:15 at the Maryland Science Center for the homeschool days there.  I was very disappointed that they decided to change policies and told me we could not, as members, see the planetarium show for free with our membership because it was a homeschool show.  No.  Not really.  You show it there at the planetarium other than homeschool days....  It wasn't worth the fight, but I wasn't paying $13.00 to see something we were entitled to for free.  We walked around the near empty, but brutally cold center until it was time for our Forces of Nature IMAX show.  It was extremely well done, but very loud.  Very powerful, just like the weather. After our IMAX we had the "treat" of eating in the cafe.  Dakota asked that we not take our lunch and so we had lunch there, which was average at best.  Both places - the cafe and the lunch room, were FREEZING, as was the whole first floor so w

Crazy Cold

Image
Today we woke up to crazy cold weather.  The temperatures are low, the wind chills lower and there is ice and snow on the ground to add the look of a frozen tundra. I thought I was going to be able to stay in all day because they cancelled our homeschool review for the afternoon, but my daughter's car door broke and I had to run out to pick her up and take her to work.  The roads were actually in good condition and I was only gone about a half hour.  I got home just in time to start Dakota on our schedule.  While he made his bed and straightened his room, I made chocolate chip pancakes.  I was surprised yet again when he willingly went into his room at 9:30 to have his personal reading time.  This is the kid who complains loudly for all to hear about how he hates to read, yet this half hour of time seems okay for him. 10am brings morning work for him that is done independently.  He works on language arts activities and some fun papers.  This week is all about the new

One Step Forward and Two Steps Back

Yesterday, besides being my younger daughter's 27th birthday, was also our first day back to school after the Christmas break.  We had needed the break and made the most of it, but it was time to get back.  I had done a lot of planning for both my homeschooled son and my preK granddaughter and daycare baby and I was ready.  I got up at 5:30am to have "me" time before school and then the day ran pretty much on schedule.  It wasn't without it's bumps and my son was sooooooo tired, but we made it.      Our day included 30 minutes of personal reading and 30 minutes of morning work for my son to start off the day independently while I made Alligator A's and practiced writing and sounding out the letter A and reading alligator books with the littles.  Then they played and watched an alphabet video while my son and I learned about the atmosphere layers using a labeled balloon and watched some awesome Youtube videos.  We did a little paperwork, managed to get through

2015

Out with the old and in with the new!  Last night a very lazy household passed the time together doing lots of nothing, eating steamed shrimp, pizza and veggies and dip and dozing.  We did see 2014 pass and 2015 with a hoot and holler from my husband and then I was under the covers by 12:15. So what was 2014 like for me personally?  As I reflect, I think it was a year when I came into my own.  I stopped worrying so much about the things that don't really matter and gave myself the freedom to say "no" or "I don't want to".  I am someone who always wants to make things better for others and will do so at my own expense.  This past year I was much better at saying "I need" and then following up with that.  I learned that standing up for myself can have a very positive outcome.  I learned that I cannot take away the hurts of my children or my husband and sometimes I just have to say "work it out for yourself because I just can't". So